••• Clark’s Oyster Bar posted a help-wanted ad for a chef, stating that the plan is to open this fall, but the building (above) is telling another story. Also, this will be the chain’s fourth location—besides the outposts in Austin and Aspen, one opened in Houston last year.
••• There was an update to the recent post about the Four Seasons Biltmore, in case you missed it: an ad on the front page of a recent edition of the Montecito Journal pretty much confirmed that the Nobu chain is opening an outpost at the resort.
••• Chef Budi Kazali’s reboot of The Gathering Table—once at the Ballard Inn, now in the former Succulent Café space in Solvang—opens July 26, reports @805foodie. Expect “French-Asian fusion,” according to the Instagram bio.
••• The Starbucks at Five Points Center is undergoing a pretty thorough revamp. (Thanks to J. for the photo.) I made a rare appearance at a Starbucks a couple of weeks ago while visiting my parents, and I got increasingly frustrated as the staff filled a bunch of mobile orders—from patrons who hadn’t arrived yet—ahead of mine. (This can happen at independent cafés, too, of course.) It makes me feel the way I do whenever a staffer answers the phone instead of helping people who have been waiting in line.
••• Pang Zi Noodle Shop on Hollister Avenue (at Nogal) has opened, says Restaurant Guy. On Yelp, the owner described it thus: “Pang Zi Noodle Shop serves Vietnamese pho and fresh noodle and rice plates. Chinese Wok noodles and fried rice. Fast casual with limited dining. Focused on takeout and delivery.”
••• A profile of Lilac Montecito. —Independent
••• Some first impressions of Jonesy’s Fried Chicken in Goleta…. The JFC Original Sandwich was pretty amazing, and I say that as someone who doesn’t often order fried chicken sandwiches. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, and the housemade pickles added real zing. (I may go back for a jar or two.) The sandwich was also substantial; I ordered the fries and the buttermilk slaw, and I didn’t need either of them. While the sides get props for only being $3.50 each, my fries came out cold, and I was the second person to order right as the restaurant opened at 11 a.m. P.S. Jonesy’s has a few parking spots (marked “JFC”) in the lot. P.P.S. I got a good tip before going, which is to avoid Wednesday lunch, if possible, because that’s the day all employees at nearby Yardi are expected to show up at the office—and they’re understandably excited about having Jonesy’s right there. On the other hand, the restaurant now has online ordering, so you can skip the line….
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OK. So, just to be sure we’re clear: Online ordering at Jonesy’s. Good. Online ordering at Starbucks. Bad.
Cool. ???? <— That’s a wink because this post is all in good fun.
I suspected the platform wouldn’t allow emoji. So, let me go old school… ;-)
I hoped that the “….” at the end of the Jonesy’s item would imply some ambivalence. But if I’m going to be honest, I think everything about Starbucks—the coffee, the food, the atmosphere—is bad.
Love the food in SB but we need some good Chinese.
Come try us out. Our menu will grow as soon as we can get fully staffed or our parents from China here.
LOVE Jonesy’s but the fries are awful. Hope they will consider changing them.
Funny, I ate at Jonesy’s and the only good thing was the fries. Chicken pieces instead of nuggets would be much better. Cole slaw was dry and flavorless. This was shortly after they opened so I will give them another try.
Had the pleasure of going to Chef Budi’s The Gathering Table for a soft opening last night & it was wonderful! Wish I’d taken pictures of the beautiful interiors & the yummy food. Very well staffed with only a few minor Night 2 hiccups. It’s so great to have Budi back in the SYV restaurant orbit!